Building block and building block set having the same

ABSTRACT

A building block includes a main body comprising a plug module and a socket module. The plug module includes a plug body, a plug protruding from one side of the plug body and defining a first chamber, a number of first magnets arranged within the first chamber, and an insulating protrusion formed on a bottom of the first chamber. The socket module includes a socket body defining a second chamber, a number of second magnets arranged within the second chamber, and an insulating recess defined in a bottom of the second chamber. The first magnets and the second magnets are arranged in such a way that the first magnets of one of two building blocks are able to be magnetically connected to the second magnets of the other one of two building blocks.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201811549527.4, filed Dec. 18, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein as if set forth in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to toy building blocks, and particularly to a building block set including building blocks that are connected to one another by magnetic force.

2. Description of Related Art

A wide variety of block toys presently exist, including those permitting connection of individual blocks by mutually snapping concave portions and convex portions formed in and on the individual blocks and those making use of a magnet arranged on a block and a magnetic member arranged on another block so that these blocks can be connected together by magnetic force. Although these block engagement means can work well for connecting the blocks together, it is still desirable and useful to provide a building block kit including building blocks that are connected to one another by a new connection mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, all the views are schematic, and like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric view of a building block according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, but viewed from a different perspective.

FIG. 3 is a schematic isometric view of a plug module according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic isometric view of the plug module of FIG. 3, viewed from a different perspective.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing arrangement of four connection terminals of the plug module of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a schematic isometric view of a socket module according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic isometric view of the socket module of FIG. 6, viewed from a different perspective.

FIG. 8 is a schematic isometric view showing the internal structure after a socket body is removed.

FIG. 9 is a schematic isometric view of a building block according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic isometric view of a building block set according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references can mean “at least one” embodiment.

The terms “upper”, “lower”, “left” and “right”, indicating the orientational or positional relationship based on the orientational or positional relationship shown in the drawings, are merely for convenience of description, but are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or elements must have a particular orientation or be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the present invention. The terms “first” and “second” are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features. The meaning of “multiple” is two or more, unless expressly stated otherwise.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in one embodiment, a building block includes a main body 1 including a plug module 10 and a socket module 20. Specifically, the main body 1 is cubic. The plug module 10 is arranged on one surface of the main body 1. The socket module 20 is arranged on another surface of the main body 1. In an alternative embodiment, the number of the plug module 10 and the number of the socket module 20 may be adjusted according to need. For example, there may be five socket modules 20 that are respectively arranged on five surfaces of the main body 1.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the plug module 10 includes a plug body 11, a plug 12 protruding from one side of the plug body 11 and defining a first chamber 121, a number of first magnets 14 arranged within the first chamber 121, and an insulating protrusion 15 formed on a bottom of the first chamber 12.

In one embodiment, the plug module 10 further includes a first plastic circuit board (PCB) 13 connected to the plug body 11 at a side opposite the plug 12, and a number of connection terminals protruding from the insulating protrusion 15 and electrically connected to the first PCB 13.

With such a configuration, two or more building blocks can be connected to one another through magnetic attractive force between magnets of the plug modules 10 and socket modules 20 thereof. Since one plug 12 of one building block is respectively inserted into the socket modules 20 of another building block, two connected building blocks will not disengage from one another easily even when they are subjected to lateral force.

In one embodiment, the plug body 11 has a first mating surface 111, and the plug 12 protrudes from the first mating surface 111. The first PCB 13 is located at the side opposite the first mating surface 111. The first chamber 121 of the plug 12 is square. The first magnets 14 are four in number, and respectively located at four corners of the first chamber 121. The insulating protrusion 15 is located between the four first magnets 14, and the connection terminals are arranged on the insulating protrusion 15. In the embodiment, the top surfaces of the first magnets 14 have the same magnetic poles. In an alternative embodiment, the top surfaces of the first magnets 14 may have different magnetic poles.

It should be noted that the number of the first magnets 14 may change according to need. For example, the first magnetic member 14 can be shaped to have a reduced size such that more first magnetic members 14 can be arranged in the first chamber 121. The first chamber 121 may be triangular or circular. The number and arrangement of the first magnets 14 may also change according to the shape of the first chamber 121.

In one embodiment, the insulating protrusion 15 includes a base 151 and four arms 152 connected to and evenly arranged around the base 151. Two of the arms 152 extend along a first direction, and the other two extend along a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. That is, the four arms 152 are arranged to form a cross shape. Each of the arms 152 is located between two adjacent ones of the first magnets 14. One of the connection terminals is located in a center of the base 151, and the other ones of the connection terminals are arranged around the one of the connection terminals.

In one embodiment, there are four connection terminals. Here, for convenience of explanation, the four connection terminals are respectively referred to as the first connection terminal 16, the second connection terminal 17, the third connection terminal 18, and the fourth connection terminal 19. The first connection terminal 16 is located in a center of the base 151 of the protrusion 15. The second connection terminal 17 is located at an end of a first one of the arms 152. The third connection terminal 18 is located at a joint where a second one of the arms 152 is connected to the base 151. The fourth connection terminal 19 is located at a joint where a third one of the arms 152 is connected to a fourth one of the arms 152.

Referring to FIG. 5, in one embodiment, the second connection terminal 17, the third connection terminal 18, and the fourth connection terminal 19 are respectively located on concentric circles of different diameters, with the first connection terminal 16 being the center of the concentric circles. The radius of each concentric circle is the distance from the inner edge of the corresponding connection terminal toward the first connection terminal 16 to the first connection terminal 16. On the premise of taking into consideration the safety distance requirement between the connection terminals, with the above arrangement, the radius r of the outermost circle is the smallest. The four connection terminals then occupy the smallest space, so that the plug 12 is smaller in size, and the entire plug module 10 is smaller in size, which facilitates the compactness of the building block.

Referring again to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the first connection terminal 16, the second connection terminal 17, the third connection terminal 18, and the fourth connection terminal 19 are all spring-loaded pins, each including a spherical first metal contact 191 at the top thereof. The spring-loaded pins ensure the reliability of the electrical connection between the plug module and a corresponding socket module. In one embodiment, the spring-loaded pins are Pogo pins. The Pogo pins each has a precise spring structure and a metal coating on the outer surface thereof. Not only the accurate connection is achieved when the plug is inserted in to the socket module, but also the weight and size of the plug module can be reduced. Furthermore, they have a series of advantages, such as corrosion resistance, stability and durability, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8, in one embodiment, the socket module 20 includes a socket body 21 defining a second chamber 211, and a number of second magnets 23 arranged within the second chamber 211. The socket body 21 includes a second mating surface 212, in which the second chamber 211 is formed. In the embodiment, the top surfaces of the second magnets 23 have the same magnetic poles which are opposite to the magnetic poles of the top surfaces of the first magnets 14, which allow the second magnets 23 to be magnetically attracted to the first magnets 14.

In one embodiment, an insulating recess 25 is defined in a bottom of the second chamber 211. The socket module 20 further includes a second plastic circuit board (PCB) 22 fixedly connected to the socket body 21 at a side opposite the second chamber 211, and a number of terminal holes formed in a bottom of the insulating recess 25.

In one embodiment, the second chamber 211 of the socket module 20 is square and matches the plug 12 of the plug module 10. The second magnets 23 are four in number, and respectively located at four corners of the second chamber 211. The insulating recess 25 is located between the four second magnets 23.

In one embodiment, the insulating recess 25 is shaped and sized according to the insulating protrusion 15. Specifically, the insulting recess 25 includes a main recess 251 and four branches 252 communicating with the main recess 251. The branches 252 are sized and arranged according to the arms 152 of the insulating protrusion 15. That is, two of the four branches 252 extend along a first direction, and the other two extend along a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. The four branches 252 are arranged to form a cross shape. Each of the branches 252 is located between two adjacent ones of the second magnets 23. One of the terminal holes is located in a center of the main recess 251, and the other ones of the terminal holes are arranged around the one of the terminal holes.

In one embodiment, there are a number of sets of terminal holes. Here, for convenience of explanation, the terminal holes are respectively referred to as the first terminal hole 26, the second terminal holes 27, and the third terminal holes 28. The first terminal hole 26 is located in a center of the insulating recess 25. Four second terminal holes 27 are respectively arranged at joints where two adjacent ones of the branches 252 are connected to each other. There are four pair of third terminal holes 28. Each pair of third terminal holes 28 are arranged along a corresponding branche 252. With such a configuration, the connection terminals 16, 17, 18 and 19 can be easily inserted in to corresponding ones of the connection holes when the plug 12 of one building block is inserted in to the second chamber 211 of another building block.

In one embodiment, the diameter of each of the terminal holes gradually decreases from outside to inside. The second PCB 22 is located inside the socket body 21, and has a number of second metal contacts 221 that are exposed through the terminal holes. The connection terminals can be inserted into the terminal holes and come into contact with corresponding second metal contacts 221 on the second PCB 22, which creates electrical connection. With such a configuration, on the one hand, the terminal holes can well mate with the first metal contacts 191 on the top of the connection terminals to prevent the connection terminals from falling off, and on the other hand, the terminal holes protect the second metal contacts 221, which prevents electrical conductors from forming short circuits between different metal contacts 221.

In one embodiment, the main body 1 is provided with one or more servos that can output a rotational motion. The first PCB 13 and the second PCB 22 are electrically connected to the one or more servos.

In one embodiment, when the plug module 10 of one building block mates with a socket module 20 of another building block, the plug 12 of the plug module 10 is inserted into the second chamber 211 of the socket module 20, and the first magnets 14 of the plug module 10 are magnetically attracted to the second magnets 23 of the socket module 20. The connection terminals are received in corresponding terminal holes. The mating surface Ill of the main body 11 abuts against the mating surface 212 of the socket body 21.

In one embodiment, the main body 1 further defines a number of connection holes that are used to connect with an external component.

Referring to FIG. 9, in one embodiment, the main body 1 may have a structure different from the main body in the embodiments above. Specifically, the main body 1 of the embodiment may be of a triangular prism. The plug module 10 is located on a first rectangular side of the main body 1, and the socket module 20 is located on a second rectangular side of the main body 1. The plug module 10 and the socket module 20 have the same configuration as those described above and will not repeated herein.

Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, in one embodiment, a male building block includes a plug body 11, a plug 12 protruding from a first side of the plug body 11 and defining a first chamber 121, a number of first magnets 14 arranged within the first chamber 121, a first plastic circuit board 13 connected to a second side of the plug body 11 opposite the plug 12, and a number of connection terminals arranged within the first chamber 121 and electrically connected to the first plastic circuit board 13.

Referring again to FIGS. 6 and 7, in one embodiment, a female building block for mating with the male building block of FIGS. 3 and 4 includes a socket body 21 defining a second chamber 211 allowing insertion of the plug 12 thereinto, a number of second magnets 23 that are arranged within the second chamber 211 and used to be magnetically connected to the first magnets 14 of the male building block, a second plastic circuit board 22 connected to a side of the socket body 21 opposite the second chamber 211, and a number of terminal holes arranged within the second chamber 211 and electrically connected to the second plastic circuit board 22. The terminal holes are used to receive the connection terminals of the male building block therein.

In one embodiment, a building block set includes at least two building blocks of FIG. 1. In an alternative embodiment, the building block set may include at least two building blocks of FIG. 9. In an alternative embodiment, the building block set may include a building block of FIG. 1 and a building block of FIG. 9. Referring to FIG. 10, in one embodiment, the building block set includes six building blocks of FIG. 1. The plug 12 of a first one of two connected building blocks is received in the second chamber 211 of a second one of the two connected building blocks. The first magnets 14 of the first one of the two building blocks are magnetically connected to the second magnets 23 of the second one of the two building blocks. The insulating protrusion 15 of the first one of the two building blocks is received in the insulating recess 25 of the second one of the two building blocks. Since each of the building blocks has both the male plug module 10 and the female socket modules 20, they can be freely combined according to actual needs. Moreover, electrical signals are transmitted between the different building blocks through the connection terminals, the terminal holes, and the PCBs so as to allow the servos in the building blocks to rotate one or more building blocks according to instructions. Since one plug 12 of one building block is respectively inserted into the socket modules 20 of another building block, two connected building blocks will not disengage from one another easily even when they are subjected to lateral force.

Although the features and elements of the present disclosure are described as embodiments in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone or in other various combinations within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A building block comprising: a main body comprising a plug module and a socket module; wherein the plug module comprises a plug body, a plug protruding from one side of the plug body and defining a first chamber, a plurality of first magnets arranged within the first chamber, and an insulating protrusion formed on a bottom of the first chamber; the socket module comprises a socket body defining a second chamber, a plurality of second magnets arranged within the second chamber, and an insulating recess defined in a bottom of the second chamber; the first magnets and the second magnets are arranged in such a way that the first magnets of one of two building blocks are able to be magnetically connected to the second magnets of the other one of two building blocks.
 2. The building block according to claim 1, wherein the plug module further comprises a first plastic circuit board connected to the plug body at a side opposite the plug, and a plurality of connection terminals protruding from the insulating protrusion and electrically connected to the first plastic circuit board, the socket module further comprises a second plastic circuit board fixedly connected to the socket body at a side opposite the second chamber, and a plurality of terminal holes formed in a bottom of the insulating recess.
 3. The building block according to claim 2, wherein the first chamber and the second chamber are rectangular, the first magnets are evenly arranged in the first chamber, and the second magnets are evenly arranged in the second chamber.
 4. The building block according to claim 3, wherein the insulating protrusion comprises a base and a plurality of arms connected to and evenly arranged around the base, each of the arms is located between two adjacent ones of the first magnets, one of the connection terminals is located in a center of the protrusion, and the other ones of the connection terminals are arranged around the one of the connection terminals; the insulating recess and the terminal holes are respectively shaped and sized according to the insulating protrusion and the connection terminals, the insulating recess comprises a plurality of branches that are arranged according to the arms of the insulating protrusion.
 5. The building block according to claim 4, wherein a number of the connection terminals is four, a first one of the connection terminals is located in a center of the protrusion, a second one of the connection terminals is located at an end of a first one of the arms, a third one of the connection terminals is located at a joint where a second one of the arms is connected to the base, and a fourth one of the connection terminals is located at a joint where a third one of the arms is connected to a fourth one of the arms; a first one of the terminal holes is located in a center of the insulating recess, four second ones of the terminal holes are respectively arranged at joints where two adjacent ones of the branches are connected to each other, and a plurality of third ones of the terminal holes are respectively arranged along the branches.
 6. The building block according to claim 2, wherein a diameter of each of the terminal holes gradually decreases from outside to inside.
 7. The building block according to claim 1, wherein the main body further defines a plurality of connection holes that are configured to connect with an external component.
 8. The building block according to claim 1, wherein the main body is cubic, the plug module is located on a first side of the main body, and the socket module is located on a second side of the main body.
 9. The building block according to claim 1, wherein the main body is of a triangular prism, the plug module is located on a first rectangular side of the main body, and the socket module is located on a second rectangular side of the main body.
 10. A male building block comprising a plug body, a plug protruding from a first side of the plug body and defining a first chamber, a plurality of first magnets arranged within the first chamber, a first plastic circuit board connected to a second side of the plug body opposite the plug, and a plurality of connection terminals arranged within the first chamber and electrically connected to the first plastic circuit board.
 11. A female building block for mating with a male building block, the male building block comprising a plug body, a plug protruding from a first side of the plug body and defining a first chamber, a plurality of first magnets arranged within the first chamber, a first plastic circuit board connected to a second side of the plug body opposite the plug, and a plurality of connection terminals arranged within the first chamber and electrically connected to the first plastic circuit board; the female building block comprising: a socket body defining a second chamber allowing insertion of the plug thereinto, a plurality of second magnets that are arranged within the second chamber and configured to be magnetically connected to the first magnets of the male building block, a second plastic circuit board connected to a side of the socket body opposite the second chamber, and a plurality of terminal holes arranged within the second chamber and electrically connected to the second plastic circuit board, the terminal holes being configured to receive the connection terminals therein. 